Women survive 'savage tree attack' after huge oak falls on moving car

Helen Howes and Heather Hasthorpe were on their way to a costume and textile fair in Wolterton Hall, Norfolk, when the accident happened.

Two women have described the moment they narrowly escaped being crushed to death when a huge oak tree fell onto their moving car.

Helen Howes and Heather Hasthorpe were on their way to a costume and textile fair in Wolterton Hall, Norfolk, when the accident happened.

An oak tree fell into the road, sending a branch straight through the windscreen of Mrs Howes' red VW Passat. The force of the impact was so strong it virtually stopped the car in its tracks.

Guests at a nearby pub rushed to the scene and called for emergency services. Mrs Howes was taken to hospital where she was treated for a damaged tendon in her arm, but was otherwise unhurt. Mrs Hasthorpe walked away unscathed.

H Howes

H Howes

Describing the incident on her blog , Mrs Howes wrote: "On the way to Wolterton Hall with Heather, to do the Costume and Textile Fair, I was savagely attacked by a falling oak tree. The resulting chaos; road closed, nine hours in A and E, damaged tendons, and completely written-off car."

Police have said the pair are "very lucky" to be alive.

Mrs Hasthorpe told the BBC it was "amazing" that the injuries were not more serious.

"That branch that came into the car beside her right leg and ripped off the door panel actually caused a burn to the skin on her right knee, that's how close it was," she said.

"It was definitely a guardian angel job."

The red Passat has been written off and Mrs Howes' will have to spend six weeks in a cast as a result of her injury.

But she remains upbeat after her miraculous survival.

She later wrote on her blog: "Sore but still alive, and frustrated by the cast. The cat slept on me all night to "look after" me. I'm not going to be able to work at all well, and all this is going to cost a fortune.